Self-aligning aerosol overcap and button

ABSTRACT

A self-aligning aerosol overcap and button and method of assembling them wherein the overcap includes a key projecting within its central button-receiving opening, and the button includes a smooth surfaces top having a downward slant from front to rear of approximately 10* to 20* and a vertical keyway in its side wall for receiving the key of the cap. The overcap and button are quickly and easily aligned simply by placing the overcap over the button such that the key rests on the top surface of the button. By gravity, the overcap will thereafter slide and rotate relative to the button until the key engages the keyway. The terminal orifice of the button is thereby automatically aligned with the front of the overcap. In a refined version of the key, it is slightly biased against the keyway, either in a radial or tangential direction to insure maximum alignment of the button and the overcap with no side twisting which often causes spray impingement under normal use.

United States Ratent Ewald 1 July4,1972

[54] SELF-ALIGNING AEROSOL OVIERCAP AND BUTTON Ronald F. Ewald, 2700 Cardinal Drive, Rolling Meadows, Ill. 60008 [22] Filed: Sept. 16, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 72,656

[72] Inventor:

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 856,764, Sept. 10,

1969, abandoned.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,407,975 10/1968 Schroeder ..222/402.13

Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-James M. Slattery Attorney-Stefan M. Stein [57] ABSTRACT A self-aligning aerosol overcap and button and method of as sembling them wherein the overcap includes a key projecting within its central button-receiving opening, and the button includes a smooth surfaces top having a downward slant from front to rear of approximately 10 to 20 and a vertical keyway in its side wall for receiving the key of the cap. The overcap and button are quickly and easily aligned simply by placing the overcap over the button such that the key rests on the top surface of the button. By gravity, the overcap will thereafter slide and rotate relative to the button until the key engages the keyway. The terminal orifice of the button is thereby automatically aligned with the front of the overcap.

In a refined version of the key, it is slightly biased against the keyway, either in a radial or tangential direction to insure maximum alignment of the button and the overcap with no side twisting which often causes spray impingement under normal use.

5 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] JUL 4 [972 BEST AVAILABLE COPY 3 74 1 4 SHEET 10F 3 y "as, mum

' Emi 'E" INVENTOR. RONALD F. EWALD ATTORNEY.

PATENTEDJUL' 4 I972 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIGII FIGIO FIG.6

144 ill llll I! ill Ill lllIll Km O ,4 VE F w a A W N ATTORNEY.

SELF-ALIGNING AEROSOL OVERCAP AND BUTTON This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 856,764 filed Sept. 10, 1969 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an overcap and button for an aerosol container and to the method of assembling them and more particularly to a self-aligning overcap and button for assembling them wherein proper alignment of the button and overcap is assured.

2. Description of the Prior Art Recently in aerosol marketing, the use of an overcap with a valve button to improve the appearance of the can, to enable stacking, to provide against accidental actuation, to enable the incorporation of pilferproof devices, to guide the consumer in the use of the can and similar reasons, has become quite popular. The overcap usually has a conformation to indicate the direction in which the aerosol contents are to be sprayed. So, it must be aligned with respect to the button. This was usually done prior to being fastened to the container. In the most customary fashion to maintain alignment, the overcap and button were usually locked together prior to being mounted on the aerosol can.

The step of aligning the overcap relative to the button has unfortunately been most troublesome. It required integrally molded overcap-button combinations, or extra machinery at slower time to accomplish alignment. Attempts have been made to overcome these most troublesome requirements but, until now, they never resulted in a substantial benefit. For example, in US. Pat. No. 3,407,975, the button has a keyway with an entrance guide and the overcap has key in its buttonreceiving opening. When this central opening is placed over the button, the key sets on the top surface of the button. Subsequently, brushes are used to rotate the overcap relative to the button until the key enters the entrance guide which cams the key of the overcap into the keyway. At this point, the parts are aligned and locked together. Afterwards, the overcap is depressed downwardly and clamped to the aerosol container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims primarily to provide a new and improved key and keyway to prevent wobble between the overcap and button. The elimination of wobble ensures maximum alignment thereby preempting any chance of spray impingement during use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a selfaligning button and overcap which are quickly aligned with respect to each other without the need of external rotative forces, such as brushes.

Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap in which the cap is automatically aligned to the button without prior pre-orientation.

Still another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap in which the cap can be quickly and easily aligned merely by placing the cap on the button.

A further object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap which are locked securely together when aligned.

A still further object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap wherein the cap may easily be snapped onto the aerosol container after being aligned.

Another object is to provide a self-aligning aerosol button and overcap wherein the upper surface of the button is cut at an optimum angle to allow the cap to ride and rotate over the surface but still allow the button to be easily depressed.

Another object is to provide a method of assembling an overcap to a button wherein the cap is automatically aligned to the button without pro-orientation and without the necessity of auxiliary rotative forces.

Another object is to provide an economical and highly reliable method of aligning an aerosol overcap and button.

Another object is to provide an overcap which has an integral, resilient key which resiliently biases against the aerosol button keyway to ensure maximum alignment.

Another object is to provide a resilient key which biases the overcap in a radial direction.

Another object is to provide a resilient key which biases the overcap in a tangential direction. I

Other objects of the invention will in part appear hereinafter.

In accordance with these objects, the invention comprises an overcap which has a central cylindrical opening in which is disposed along its upper end a salient projection defined as a key. The button has a vertical keyway grooved in its side wall to receive this key, and a smooth top surface, at least on its rim portion of a width greater than the key width, having a downward slant from front to rear of from 10 to 20. In one refinement of the key, it is made resilient so that the front of the key bears against the floor of the keyway thereby producing a radial biasing force between the overcap and button. In a second refinement, the key is split and its sides impinge against the sides of the keyway. These refinements in the key structure eliminates wobble between the key and the keyway.

In assembling the cap to the container, the cap, without preorientation, is placed over the button such that the button is within its central opening and the key rests on the top surface of the button. Because of gravity, the overcap will then slide and rotate down the top surface of the button until the key enters the keyway. Thereafter, the overcap is depressed downwardly and snapped onto the rim of the mounting cup of the container via an inner rim to secure the cap thereto. The biasing force of the key thereafter prevents side twist between the overcap and the button. In this way, any chance of misalignment and hence spray impingement on the overcap during actuation has been eliminated.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified 'in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the overcap and button of this invention in an unaligned position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the overcap and button properly aligned and secured to the aerosol container.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the button shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an overcap and button with a key which is biased in the keyway and comprises a first refinement of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button properly aligned and secured to the aerosol container.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view through line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view through line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the resilient biasing key.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view through line llll of FIG. 10.

' FIG. 12 is a top view of an overcap and button with a key which is biased in the keyway and comprises a second refinement of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap and button properly aligned and secured to the aerosol container.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view through line l4 14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view through lines 15-- 15 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view through line 16-l6 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the resilient biasing key.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the key of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view along line 19-19 of the key of FIG. 17.

Similar reference characters refer to throughout the several views of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail, in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated in an unaligned position an aerosol cupshaped overcap l and button 12 comprising the primary components of this invention. The button is shown typically attached to a valve stem 14 of an aerosol valve. It may be removably attached or integral with the valve stem in accord with common practice. The valve is secured within the mouth of the container 16 through crimped bead 18 of the standard mounting cup usually comprising one part of an aerosol valve.

The upper surface of the overcap is molded with a sprayguide recess 20 and a thumb-guide recess 22. The spray-guide recess 20 provides an open passageway for sprayed aerosol contents whereas the thumb-guide recess provides a saddle support for the thumb, or finger, making it easier to depress the aerosol button. This configuration of the spray-guide recess and thumb-guide recess also enables a user to quickly ascertain the direction in which the aerosol contents should be sprayed. To make it even more easy to ascertain this direction, an arrow 24 may be molded within the thumb-guide recess.

To receive the button, the overcap is provided with a cylindrical central opening 26. Projecting within the upper end of this opening is a narrow salient projection generally defined as key 28 adapted to ride on the top surface of the button. The key is preferably located along the longitudinal center line of the spray-guide and thumb-guide recesses; although it may be located otherwise as should be evident from the description that proceeds.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-1], a first embodiment of key 28 is disclosed in greater detail. Here, key 28 consists of an integrally molded salient projection which is attached only at its base 42 to annular side wall 27 of cylindrical opening 26. Base 42 extends upward to form two biasing anns 44 and 46. Anns 44 and 46 in their relaxed condition are slightly larger, at their widest point, 48 and 50, than is keyway 34. When key 28 is inserted into keyway 34 the walls of keyway 34 impinge at points 48 and 50 of key 28 thereby flexing arms 44 and 46 inwardly slightly in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 8 and 10.

This resultant slight biasing force on keyway 34 prevents the overcap l0 and button 12 from wobbling or becoming nonaligned.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-19, a second embodiment of key 28 is disclosed. Here, key 28 also has an integrally molded base 42, however, in this embodiment the upstanding portion of key 28 is a single arm 52. Arm 52 is narrower on the sides than keyway 34, however, the nose 54 in its relaxed position, extends to a point which is slightly deeper than the depth of keyway 34. When this embodiment of key 28 is inserted into keyway 34 the base 58 of the keyway 34 impinges against nose 54. This impingement causes a slight flexing of arm 52 in a radial direction as is indicated by the arrows in FIGS. I and 19. This resultant slight biasing force insures maximum alignment between overcap l0 and button 12 with no side twisting which often causes spray impingement under normal use.

Concentric with the annular side wall 27 of the cylindrical opening is an annular rim 30 which is slightly smaller in diameter than bead 18 such that when depressed thereon, friction engagement between the rim and bead securely retain the overcap to the container. The outer wall of the overcap is such that when the cap is depressed, it is either flush with the top of the container or extends inwardly of the rim of the container.

similar parts The button is substantially cylindrical and contains the conventional passageway 32 with an orifice for discharging the aerosol contents when the button is depressed. Diametrically opposed to the discharge orifice is a vertical keyway 34 cut into the sidewall of the button. As should be evident, other positioning of the keyway is also possible. Keyway 34 is slightly larger then key 28 except for the easily movable points on the keys which were referred to above. To allow the key to slide around the button and enter the keyway, regardless of the orientation of the overcap when on the button, the top surface 36 of the button is smooth, or, at least, the rim portion sufficient to accommodate the key, is smooth, and slants downwardly at an angle of from ten to twenty degrees. It can be appreciated that the key could slide down the button even more rapidly with a steeper angle. However, with a steeper angle, it is more difficult to depress the button for the resultant movement will be a pressing substantially forward as well as downward; thus creating a smaller force vector in the vertical direction.

In aligning and assembling the overcap to the button, the cap is placed without pre-orientation on the button 12 such that key 28 rides on the top surface of the button, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. By gravity, without additional rotative forces acting on the overcap or container, the overcap will then ride down the upper surface of the button until the key 28 slides into keyway 34. Because of the fit between the button and overcap, the cap will not excessively wobble when sliding down the slope. Although not necessary, if desired, the container may be purposely vibrated or vibrated by the action of the filling and assembling machine to accelerate this movement. When key 28 is in keyway 34, the parts are aligned. When so aligned, the discharge orifice is centered with respect to the longitudinal center line of the spray-guide and thumbguide recesses. After being so aligned, the overcap is depressed until rim 30 snaps over bead 18 of the mounting cap 16. This firmly secures the cap to the container.

It should be evident from the above description that a novel self-aligning aerosol overcap and button have been provided. The overcap is automatically aligned without prior pre-orientation or without additional rotative elements such as brushes. The slightly slanted top surface of the button enables the button to be easily depressed. Yet it allows the overcap to slide rapidly down the surface. The ease, rapidity, and reliability of the method of alignment make this method particularly economical.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed l. A self-aligning overcap and button for an aerosol container, said button having a discharge passageway therethrough for dispensing product and having a vertical keyway grooved in its side wall and a smooth top surface having a downward slant of from ten to twenty degrees running from front to rear, and said overcap having a central opening for receiving said button with a salient projection defining a key of a length slightly smaller than said keyway extending into the top of said opening, said key including a base and at least one upwardly extending arm, said arm being flexed by said keyway to ensure maximum alignment of said overcap and button, said opening having a dimension slightly larger than the dimension of the button and a side wall approximating the length of the button such that when the cap is mounted on the button the key will ride downwardly on the top surface of the button without excessive wobbling of the cap, said overcap further including clamping means for clamping said overcap to said container when the key of the overcap is within the keyway of the button.

2. The overcap and button of claim 1 wherein said key has two upwardly extending arms arranged such that said arms will flex tangentially in said keyway.

3. The overcap and button of claim 1 wherein said key has 

1. A self-aligning overcap and button for an aerosol container, said button having a discharge passageway therethrough for dispensing product and having a vertical keyway grooved in its side wall and a smooth top surface having a downward slant of from ten to twenty degrees running from front to rear, and said overcap having a central opening for receiving said button with a salient projection defining a key of a length slightly smaller than said keyway extending into the top of said opening, said key including a base and at least one upwardly extending arm, said arm being flexed by said keyway to ensure maximum alignment of said overcap and button, said opening having a dimension slightly larger than the dimension of the button and a side wall approximating the length of the button such that when the cap is mounted on the button the key will ride downwardly on the top surface of the button without excessive wobbling of the cap, said overcap further including clamping means for clamping said overcap to said container when the key of the overcap is within the keyway of the button.
 2. The overcap and button of claim 1 wherein said key has two upwardly extending arms arranged such that said arms will flex tangentially in said keyway.
 3. The overcap and button of claim 1 wherein said key has one upwardly extending arm arranged such that said arm will flex radially in said keyway.
 4. The overcap and button of claim 2 wherein said arms have a width slightly greater than the width of said keyway thereby flexing said arms inwardly.
 5. The overcap and button of claim 3 wherein said arm has a nose which extends to a point slightly deeper than the depth of said keyway thereby flexing said arms radially. 